"She Built That" isn’t just a catchphrase - it’s a movement, and thanks to the TIME Girls of the Year collaboration with LEGO, now every kid can see what it really looks like. In their first Girls of the Year list, these girls get to shine as actual LEGO minifigures. Pretty cool, right? Their inventions, dreams, and bold ideas remind us all what can happen when you don’t let anything hold you back.
If you don't know what I'm talking about yet, check out this video from The LEGO Group below:
I’ve got to say, it’s hard not to feel excited reading about girls like Rebecca Young, whose project is helping people without homes, or Rutendo Shadaya, who’s making sure young authors in New Zealand find their voices. I honestly hope The Little Brick looks at this and feels like she can dream big, tackle anything, and build her own path.
Of course, I know not everyone thinks campaigns for girls are necessary - there are folks who feel LEGO is for everyone, so why single anyone out? And hey, I get it! Still, these stories matter, especially for kids who don’t always see themselves front and center. “She Built That” gives girls a way to see themselves as inventors, leaders, and creators.
TIME Girls of the Year List
Here’s the full list of incredible Girls of the Year featured as LEGO minifigures:
- Rutendo Shadaya (New Zealand) – Championing young authors
- Coco Yoshizawa (Japan) – Olympic gold medalist
- Valerie Chiu (China) – Bringing science to classrooms
- Zoé Clauzure (France) – Standing up to bullying
- Clara Proksch (Germany) – Innovating for child safety
- Ivanna Richards (Mexico) – Breaking motoring stereotypes
- Kornelia Wieczorek (Poland) – Pioneering biotech
- Defne Özcan (Turkey) – Charting new courses as an aviator
- Rebecca Young (UK) – Designing solutions for homelessness
- Naomi S. DeBerry (US) – Advocating for organ donation and authoring children’s books
See the complete list and read the TIME Girls of the Year profiles: here
As a parent, I hope The Little Brick gets inspired by these stories - proof that with a little creativity and a lot of courage, she can build anything she imagines.
For those wanting to dive deeper into the amazing work these girls are doing and the inspiring partnership behind the campaign, be sure to check out the full stories on TIME’s official page and the LEGO Group’s newsroom.
Whether you’re building with friends, your family, or hanging out solo, remember: She Built That is about ALL girls having the chance to build their dreams.